The Midwest Rail Conference is back! 2023 conference with the theme “Optimizing Rail Investment” will be held in Toledo, OH on the campus of the University of Toledo. Golf Outing, small meetings, and conference reception on Monday, Aug 14th, and conference technical sessions and closing reception on Tuesday, August 15th with field visits to follow on Wednesday, August 16th.

Midwest Rail Conference 2023
University of Toledo, Students Union Building
August 15, 2023
Details at: https://rail.mtu.edu/mrc2023

Make your plans now to attend our face-to-face membership meeting at the District Library in Niles.

The meeting is scheduled for the afternoon to allow members to take the train. It is advisable to make your reservation soon.

Amtrak #353 arrives in Niles at 1:00 pm.
Amtrak # 352 leaves Niles at 4:52 pm.
Amtrak #365 arrives in Niles at 11:01 am
Amtrak #364 leaves Niles at 6:32 pm

The Library is in downtown Niles and is a 15 minute walk from the train station. Uber and Lyft services are available.

If you plan to drive to the meeting, please let Chuck Merckel know if you are available to meet the train and transport folks to the Library. Contact Chuck Merckel at crmerckel@aol.com  or phone 734-330-0281

Required Disclaimer  

The Niles District Library does not endorse or sponsor this event.

Michigan has made substantial investments in passenger-rail service, for increased operational efficiency and time savings on the five current, round-trip services that Amtrak operates in the state. Continuing to make improvements to these routes remains a priority for Michigan, as well as exploring the potential for increased or expanded service. This includes improvements to rail infrastructure South of Lake, which will allow for better passenger-rail operations and reliability. Michigan plans to continue partnering with other Midwest states and Amtrak to identify projects and improvements that will lead to better passenger-train service.

Speaker: Peter Anastor, Director of the Office of Rail, Michigan Department of Transportation

Register

Program

• Derrick James, Director, Government Affairs, Amtrak, will give an update on Amtrak.
• The featured speaker is Jim Coston, Executive Chairman, Corridor Rail Development. “Beyond Amtrak as a sole-source provider; how Ohio can create a public/private regional partnership for development and operation of passenger trains.”

Registration

The program and buffet luncheon are presented by the Northwest Ohio Passenger Rail Association (NOPRA). Tickets are $40 for NOPRA members, $50 for non-members, and $25 for students.

Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/toledo-rail-forum-tickets-517910282597 to register. Online registration is preferred.

Click for mail-in option registration 

Amtrak’s Chicago Access Presentation

Derrick James from Amtrak’s Government Affairs office gave a presentation during the September 15th Member Meeting.

Amtrak, along with Illinois and Michigan, is applying for funding for a project called Chicago Access / Michigan East that has important implications for the future of Michigan’s train services.

Slides are provided here: